BK Micarta handles uneven coloring with use?

The Logical One

The Logical One

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May 31, 2011
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I recently bought a set of Micarta handles for my bk2 and after some use I noticed there's a drastic change in color in the middle where my hand grips. I was wondering if it was normal for it to be like that.

I did some searching and found that the grips do darken from the oil/moisture in the hands, but in all the pictures I've seen from other users their handles seem to be consistent in color from end to end.

Initially when I got them I thought they were too light so I rubbed some 3 in 1 oil in. I was wondering if that had anything to do with it.
 
not sure if it's too late, but when they are new you can sand them and put a protective oil on them. Thats what i did.
 
Mine have done the same thing. I kinda like the variation in the coloration after use. It won't affect their functionality, and it gives them character!
 
I already took them off and washed it with water/soap. After they dried the color went back to normal with the same consistency throughout. The only problem is every time I use it it's going to do the same thing and it's just kind of a hassle having to wash them.

Jarodmichael what kind of protective oil did you use?
 
Also consider that micarta is extremely toxic when you sand it. It is said that regular store bought respirators are not good enough even when the sanding is done outdoors. Too big of a risk for me. Good luck.
 
shortwinger said:
Also consider that micarta is extremely toxic when you sand it. It is said that regular store bought respirators are not good enough even when the sanding is done outdoors. Too big of a risk for me. Good luck.
Click to expand...

I disagree, people always talk about how "toxic it is to work with micarta" Ive worked with it a fair amount outside and I was never like "Oh shit micarta dust I better run"...etc. In daily life you do all kinds of things that are unhealthy, I would not worry about sanding some Micarta from time to time. Now if you were going to be making 1-20 Micarta handle slabs a day and filling a workshop with fine dust that a whole other case.

Anyways.

Back to the topic at hand. The Logical One, Micarta will absorb the oils from your hands and darken over time, you can skip all of this and oil them and darken them ahead of time or just let the darken naturally.

Once again photos would be nice.
 
The more you use them, the better they look. Really take on a character of their own.
 
I have noticed that color change with the coarser canvas micarta not the linen micarta. I think the color change is like a patina on the handle. It just looks like it's been worked, not just sitting around in a safe.
 
So it discolors - what's the big deal? BK2 is a knife that ought to be used and used hard - and that's going to mark up a knife. These things aren't supposed to be pretty. :p


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Beckerhead #42
 
it's a natural fiber material encased but not sealed completely in resin - it has pores, eh? it will stain.

just like a hat, gloves, shirts, boots, socks, ... yeah, you get the idea.

you should see the steering wheel in my car after 5 years :) some spots like new, but you can definitely see where my normal hold positions are (9-10 and 2-3 sir!)
 
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